Which States Are Still Distributing Payments in 2025? A Guide to Remaining Stimulus Check Colorado and Beyond

While federal stimulus checks ended after 2021, the conversation about financial relief didn’t. As inflation continues to pressure household budgets, several states have taken matters into their own hands—and the payments are still flowing into 2025. Here’s what you need to know about ongoing state-level relief programs.

Colorado’s TABOR Refunds: The Biggest Payout

Colorado is leading the charge with its Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) refunds, made possible by the state’s substantial $1.5 billion fiscal surplus. Unlike the modest amounts in some programs, Colorado residents can expect meaningful relief:

• Single taxpayers: Up to $800
• Married couples filing jointly: Up to $1,600

The qualification criteria are straightforward but non-negotiable:

• Filed Colorado 2023 DR 0104 tax returns by April 15, 2024
• Resided in Colorado for over one year
• At least 18 years old with 183+ days of residency during the fiscal year
• No outstanding tax debts or disqualifying criminal convictions (180+ days imprisonment)

Payments arrive through direct deposit, paper check, or prepaid debit card. This initiative specifically targets boosting consumer spending power and supporting the local economy during a period of sustained cost pressures.

New York’s Inflation Refund Program

Governor Kathy Hochul’s newly approved Inflation Refund represents New York’s first statewide relief effort of this magnitude. The program addresses what the governor calls the persistent problem: “the cost of living is still too damn high.”

Payment amounts:

• Single filers (up to $150,000 annual income): $300
• Joint filers (up to $300,000 annual income): $500

The scale is impressive—over 8 million New York residents are receiving checks as part of the fiscal year 2026 budget. The rationale reflects inflation’s real impact: New York’s unprecedented sales tax revenues, largely driven by inflation, are being returned to middle-class families. Distribution began in late April 2025 and continued through May.

California’s Golden State Stimulus Expansion

California is taking a different approach with stimulus checks reaching up to $725 for eligible households. Income and family size determine the final amount, with the program specifically targeting residents facing inflation-related financial strain.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Annual income thresholds: Must fall within specified income limits based on program guidelines
• California residency: Must be a legal resident with recent state tax return filings
• Program history: Priority given to those who didn’t benefit from earlier Golden State Stimulus phases

Payment methods include direct deposit or mailed checks for those without banking information on file.

Why States Are Acting Now

The backdrop to these three separate programs reveals an important trend: federal stimulus ended years ago, but inflation’s effects haven’t. Between 2020-2021, federal economic impact payments totaled over 476 million individual payments worth $814 billion according to the U.S. Government Pandemic Response Accountability Committee. Those emergency measures are gone, but state surpluses and persistent cost-of-living pressures have created new opportunities for relief.

These 2025 programs reflect each state’s fiscal capacity and policy priorities. Colorado’s substantial surplus enables higher per-capita payments. New York’s sales tax windfall funds its middle-class focus. California targets those most affected by ongoing inflation.

What This Means for Your Budget

If you live in Colorado, New York, or California, these payments represent real relief in 2025. However, the amounts vary significantly based on income, filing status, and residency duration. The broader message is clear: as federal support has dried up, states with fiscal flexibility are stepping in to address ongoing economic pressures on households.